Welcome to Sound & Vision Media

It so nearly didn’t happen, but the day has finally arrived. I don’t mind admitting that I really look forward to the switch on of the Exeter Christmas lights every year. I must be a kid at heart, because the magic of the festive season begins to wash over me as the city centre is illuminated.
Of course this year it looked for a long time as if the High Street would be a festive free zone. When a vote for a city centre Business Improvement District (BID) went the wrong way (in my humble opinion), it was clear that it would be a tough battle to try and get the High Street lights paid for bearing in mind the tighter purse strings at the City Council. I know that many people, including City Centre Manager John Harvey, Express and Echo Editor Marc Astley and the Chamber of Commerce’s Derek Phillips worked tirelessly for many weeks and months to try and make something happen, but it went right down the the wire in the end. Thankfully the Exeter Chiefs Supremo, and SW Telecoms boss Tony Rowe stepped in to underwrite the cost and effectively ‘save’ Christmas for those of us who care about these things. I’m not sure Tony will relish comparison with the great one in the red suit and white beard, but it was a fantastic gift for the City.
I realise that City Council finances are desperately stretched at the moment. We’re facing cuts of up to £1 million in the next financial year, but I want to make a heartfelt plea to the powers that be, and to all those major High Street stores who benefit from the extra trade over the coming weeks. These modern day ‘scrooges’ need to wake up, and see the light (literally) and make a financial contribution next year, and beyond.
Please do not put our Christmas lights under threat again!

I’m looking forward to playing a small part in the official light switch on in my role with the Families for Children adoption charity. I’ll be introducing a special song written for the charity on the main stage in Princesshay, and will then head up to another presentation area outside the Giraffe restaurant where a Formula One car will help raise much needed funds by allowing ‘F1 fans’ to sit in the car and pose for pictures.
Thursday late night shopping may not be everyone’s cup of tea in the lead up to Christmas, but I love it. I suppose it feeds my romantic vision of the seasonal build-up immortalised in all those classic black and white festive films set in Macy’s department store in New York, and, more recently, Richard Attenborough’s courtroom battle to prove that Santa Claus is actually real !
With the whole city centre lit up, and a skating rink on offer to fearless youngsters and brave adults, the atmosphere after dark will be brilliant. Mind you, as a man, I will probably leave actually buying anything for my loved ones until Christmas Eve !